5 ways to be a relevant candidate in an online world

Jobsearch, Jobseekers / 03 May 2022

Across all industries and sectors, businesses use the online arena to sell and promote their goods or services and reach their audience. With the pandemic-led move to remote and hybrid working, many businesses also rely on the online skills of their workforce to remain in touch, communicate with customers, and attend virtual meetings. Employers expect their workers to have the relevant skills needed to interact with an increasingly online existence, whether through social media, email, or app.
5 ways to be a relevant candidate in an online world

As a jobseeker, arming yourself with those skills, for instance:

  • emailing
  • interacting on social media
  • knowledge of cloud software
  • navigating a website
  • video conferencing
  • using online forms and databases

will improve both your value and relevancy. Employers want new recruits to hit the ground running from day one and online skills, whether how to send an email or take part in a Zoom meeting, are seen as the norm.

So how can you improve those skills and stand out from other job applicants?

 

List relevant online skills on your CV


Your CV will usually form the first impression you make on an employer. Listing your skills in your CV allows an employer to easily identify whether you are a match for the job.

Your skills list might include:

  • communication skills
  • team-work
  • leadership
  • sales
  • marketing
  • negotiation

but you can also mention online skills, for instance, social media or video conferencing.

Deciding which of your skills are relevant will depend on the requirements of each vacancy that you apply for. To find out, read through the job advert and description. What skills are needed to carry out the job? These should form the basis of your CV skills section.

Top CV goes into more detail on how to include a skills list in your CV.

 

Communicate in the right way


Each business will have its own method of gathering applications and communicating with candidates. Increasingly, email applications are used instead of paper versions, but you may also come across:

  • online application forms
  • emailed attachments
  • downloaded CVs from LinkedIn or a job board
  • online aptitude tests
  • online questionnaires

However, you apply for a job and communicate with the employer, check that you follow their guidelines and communicate in the format they prefer. Make it easy for them to receive, process, and view your application.

 

Use social media


Most brands have a presence on social media, whether that’s LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or any of the other social media platforms. This presence often goes beyond product promotion, and seeks to raise the company’s visibility and build a growing audience. Many companies also ask their employees to share brand social media posts.

As a candidate, social media provides an opportunity to see a more human and often more current face of the company than can be found on its website. It also provides an opportunity to connect with the company’s page and other employees.

 

Become mobile savvy


Employers don’t just use social media and their website to boost their online visibility. Mobile apps also play their part. Whether it’s for shopping, customer reporting, or checking your bank balance, more and more people are accessing their favourite brands by mobile device.

As an employee, you can use a mobile device to:

  • attend a virtual meeting
  • send emails
  • check your workplace pension plan
  • communicate with customers
  • keep track of your work diary and meetings

Even as a candidate, being mobile savvy is to your advantage as more and more major organisations use gamified processes like Cognify to assess job applicants on mobile devices.

 

Refresh your skills through training


If you feel that your online skills are lacking or maybe they just need a refresh, there are plenty of courses available, some free and some paid for.

The UK government-run Skills Toolkit provides career-related free courses that cover a range of skills, such as maths, computer essentials, and business and finance. These courses can be found via:

You can also find courses through your local college, council, charities such as Age UK, or learning providers like Learn Direct and Future Learn.

 

Final Thoughts


As the business world seeks to raise its visibility on the internet and manages a workforce that is increasingly home-based, online skills are generally seen as the norm. Improve your relevancy as a candidate by ensuring you have the up-to-date online skills that employers want.

People Also Read

Popular Jobs for Online
Ecommerce Management, Online Trading & Merchandising: salaries in 2020
... focusing on our ecommerce specialism which covers ecommerce management, onl...
Overhead Line (OHL) Design Engineer
... journey with Wood. RESPONSIBILITIES What You Will Do: * Complete overhead ...
Overhead Line Engineer / Senior Engineer
... Opportunity Redefine your personal best. Are you an experienced Transmissio...
Senior GIS Analyst – ArcGIS Online / Enterprise
... and fixes. These products will also be undergoing redesign to move into an...
Software Engineer III - Platform, Connector Team (Remote)
... page is loaded Software Engineer III - Platform, Connector Team (Remote) Ap...
<< >>